The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Normally I don't post interesting ebay auctions until after they're complete (just in case someone on the board is watching with hopes that it slips under everyone's radar). But with an opening bid of $26k, I think anyone willing to bid on it, is already willing to pay a hefty price, so why not....seen a few of these in the past. I think this is both the first complete one, as well as the first electric one (and by the serial number, it REALLY was the first).



http://cgi.ebay.com/Gothic-Art-case-Vic ... 4ceba76e87

I was going to post about this machine and the other the seller had listed. He has a COlumbia BC listed for 27k i believe. It does have a rare horn,its not a common machine, and i have never seen a 2 and 4 minute one but really? Which of the machines are actually even worth the opening bids? Im not a victor guy so someone else will have to answer that, but i really doubt even with all those etras, the Columbia wouldnt be worth OVER 5k and probably not even that much. Correct me if im wrong because im not 100%.

Aaron

The horn support that was with the BC when he acquired it must have been made by the same blacksmith that made the freakish elbow. The horn decal placement makes me think that is a radio horn bell. Definitely not worth what he thinks/wishes it is worth. It's not even restored! BC (machine only) . . . $1800-$2250 IMHO.

That Victor Gothic is beautiful, especially with the full set of albums. we'll have to see what it brings, if it does sell. This seller could be fishing for off-the-record inquiries/offers.

What's with the reproducer on the BC? A 2/4 min. turnover on a Columbia? With a turnover tool made from a punch? Feel free to correct me on this one but I have some serious questions regarding originality. As far as I know, Columbia only used a single stylus to play both 2 and 4 min. cylinders. In fact, a friend owns just such a machine and, because of the stylus tip configuration, will only play celluloid records on it. BTW: the crane mount looks suspiciously like an Edison.

Jim

phonojim wrote:That Victor Gothic is beautiful, especially with the full set of albums. we'll have to see what it brings, if it does sell. This seller could be fishing for off-the-record inquiries/offers.

Amazingly, he wants more for the BC than for the truly rare and exotic Gothic!

What's with the reproducer on the BC? A 2/4 min. turnover on a Columbia? With a turnover tool made from a punch? Feel free to correct me on this one but I have some serious questions regarding originality. As far as I know, Columbia only used a single stylus to play both 2 and 4 min. cylinders. In fact, a friend owns just such a machine and, because of the stylus tip configuration, will only play celluloid records on it. BTW: the crane mount looks suspiciously like an Edison.

The only tune that will play loudly on that is the 'Wedding March' by Lud-o-cris! Or, 'Happy Tho' Married'.

That Gothic is amazing. I'd love to have just those record books but as you've all noted, the opening bid is a bit steep, even for something so unique and in fantastic condition, not to mention being the first one made. Does anyone have the capability to make replacement books that would be something close to those?

Steve

A good bookbinder could recreate albums, but be prepared to place your order and wait!

Holy smokes, this Gothic thing is right in my back yard almost! (Bethlehem is next to Allentown.) Wonder who the owner/lister is, and exactly where it's located? Guess I could email seller through eBay.

BTW, seller's ID "fasnakt" (Fasnacht) is how Pennsylvania Germans refer to the potato doughnuts traditionally made before Lent. You could make/buy a lot of them for $26K....

Henry wrote:BTW, seller's ID "fasnakt" (Fasnacht) is how Pennsylvania Germans refer to the potato doughnuts traditionally made before Lent. You could make/buy a lot of them for $26K....

Fasnacht kiekle, right? Not sure of the spelling of the second word.

Drifting further off topic here, but I must correct my post. Should be "Fastnacht" (not "Fasnacht," as I spelled it), also called "Fasching" in German, referring to the night before the beginning of Lent, or Shrove Tuesday (French "Mardi gras," Fat Tuesday, i.e., Carnival, the last day for eating meat before the fasting of Lent). The thing about the Pennsylvania German (Pa. Dutch) dialect is that it's a spoken, not primarily written, language, and spelling is all over the map when it's set down in written form.